Presentation
Students will
Introduction Lesson A
  • Complete the K section of KWL chart about the ancient Aztec civilization and the Spanish Empire of the 14th and 15th century
  • View a short video introducing the Aztec civilization and afterwards provide information for the L section
  • Take notes while watching video clips about Cortes conquering the Aztecs and establishing a Spanish empire in Mexico and afterwards provide information for the L section
  • View a short teacher -created video discussing cultural conflicts
  • View a map to trace the route taken by Cortez
  • Research the motivation behind the expansion of the Spanish Empire
  • Work in four stations to learn about the Aztec culture
  • Complete a Venn diagram comparing the conquest of other Native American groups of MesoAmerica
  • Read an account of the first meeting between Cortez and King Montezuma
  • Complete a graphic organizer detailing the causes of the Aztecs conquest
  • Write an essay answering the question: How did Cortez conquer the Aztecs?
Student Activity Lesson B
Students will
  • Be organized into four groups...weapons, tactical, undercover infiltration, and home field advantages
  • Design a graphic organizer to compare military tactics
  • Be provided scenarios in which they will devise offensive and defensive action based on their groups
Collaborative Activity Lesson C
Students will

· Simulate a performance of the first encounter between the two civilizations
· Envision an alternate ending
· Create an investigative documentary from some recently discovered evidence of some startling new evidence of what really happened to the Aztecs
· Re-enact eyewitness accounts of the events of the conquest of the Incas